About Us

The Centre for Distance Education (CDE) provides high quality online graduate programs that develop both practical, employable skills and a solid theoretical foundation. As professionals and academics, our students are active contributors to the field of online, blended, and distance education.

We offer respected graduate degree programs in distance education at both the Master’s and Doctoral levels in which students have the opportunity to pursue original research. Our post-baccalaureate certificate and diploma programs are excellent avenues for gaining exposure to graduate studies while seeking recognized professional credentials.

We support Athabasca University’s mission of removing barriers that restrict access and success in higher education. Our courses and programs offer accessibility and flexibility while nurturing the development of supportive learning communities. Most of our programs are delivered entirely online so students can study anywhere, anytime. Courses incorporate personalized support, leading-edge technology, constructivist learning approaches, and opportunities for collaborative work and professional networking.

Athabasca University is a leading Canadian institution focused on the future of learning. As Canada's Open University, AU is dedicated to the removal of barriers that restrict access to and success in university-level study and to increasing equality of educational opportunity for adult learners worldwide. AU staff are committed to excellence in teaching, research and scholarship, and to being of service to the general public.